Opioid Crisis Moves to the Suburbs, Rushford Opens New Outpatient Center in Cheshire
Rushford publicly unveiled its new outpatient addiction treatment center in Cheshire at a press conference in March that was meant to call attention to the need for substance abuse services in Cheshire and surrounding communities.
With the rate of overdoses related to heroin and opioid painkillers continuing to rise throughout the state and the rest of the country, Rushford officials told a gathering of broadcast and print news reporters that they are working to bring evidence-based care to those suffering from addict on, not only in Cheshire but across the state.
In March 2016, Rushford announced the opening of its new outpatient treatment center in Cheshire with a press conference featuring, left, former Rushford client Michael Mitchell, who spoke about the role Rushford played in his recovery; and right, BHN President Patricia Rehmer and Rushford Medical Director J. Craig Allen, MD.
The new treatment center, located in a suite of exam and group therapy rooms at 680 S. Main St., offers services including Medication-Assisted Treatment, a model of care that helps people recover from addiction through a combination of medication (including suboxone), group therapy and counseling. Other services at the new center include programs for relapse prevention, intensive outpatient services, individualized therapy, ambulatory detox and family education.
Speaking at the press event were Patricia Rehmer, MSN, ACHE, President of the Behavioral Health Network; J. Craig Allen, MD, Rushford Medical Director; and Michael Mitchell, a Cheshire resident and former Rushford client who is in recovery from substance abuse issues.
Mitchell, who has been in recovery for close to two years, said the new location will go far in helping those struggling to get the help they need before their addiction progresses.
“They changed my life and turned my life around,” said Mitchell, who was joined at the event by his mother, Barbara, whose husband died after a prolonged battle with addiction issues. She said she was proud of her son for seeking help and not allowing himself to follow the same path as her husband.
Rehmer said the goal behind the location in Cheshire was to make it easy and convenient for those in the community who are struggling with addiction to access care, and stay on a path of recovery. She said the BHN would continue to expand services for addiction treatment throughout the state, including planned locations in Avon, Meriden, Hartford and other areas.
The BHN’s program for addressing the ongoing addiction crisis is called MATCH, or Medication-Assisted Treatment Close to Home. The Cheshire location has quickly built a patient panel that has exceeded initial volume projections.